Scott Piercy carded a course-record 62 at Silverado Resort & Spa for a two-stroke lead at the Safeway Open, which marked the start of the 2016/17 PGA Tour season.
‘I think I made more feet of putts than I did all last season,’ he said. ‘I’ve been trying to get some things figured out. Today was a good start to the season, good to get some confidence going with the putter,’ he said.
The American was 10 under par at the clubhouse after making six birdies on the back nine to come home in 30 strokes.
He pulled clear of Patton Kizzire and Paul Casey, who shared second on eight under par, while Johnson Wagner and Kyle Stanley tied fourth on seven under par.
‘I’m looking at this as a continuation of the year,’ said Casey, who shot 64 on Sunday at the Tour Championship. ‘I know the slate’s been wiped clean and we start the FedExCup all over again, but I’m looking at this to try to cap off my season. I’ve got three opportunities to try to win a golf tournament, and I haven’t done that yet this year.’
Retied Goosen got his season moving with a one under par 71 to share 63rd place along with fellow South African Tyrone van Aswegen. Both players need to improve in order to secure a spot at the weekend in California.
